According to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance."

Unfortunately, the freedom to pursue religious preferences and individual faiths is a still being refused to many people in the world. Individuals across the globe from the United States to Turkey, from Serbia to China are challenged daily in their attempts to practice their beliefs freely. Repression of religious freedom can happen via individual intimidation or, in the most extreme cases, via systematic repression of an entire culture or people based on their religious affiliations. More than a million Tibetans, for example, have died during the Chinese occupation of their country, from torture, starvation, and execution, according to the Tibetan Government in exile. More than 6,000 monasteries and their contents, irreplaceable jewels of Tibetan culture, were destroyed. Tibetans are routinely imprisoned and tortured for non-violently expressing their views and despite the peaceful demonstrations in Lhasa and elsewhere, the situation with the Chinese authorities seems increasingly tense.

Center for Religious Freedom:This Center defends against religious persecution of all groups throughout the world. Currently, it is running a campaign to defend persecuted Christians. The Center is a division of Freedom House.

Politics By Other Means: Attacks Against Christians In India:Human Rights Watch reports that right-wing Hindu organizations are attacking Christiansas part of an organized campaign to increase their political power-base. The report also criticizes the Indian government for failing to prevent the violence.